The Water Department of Lausanne, Switzerland, has successfully integrated Flyability’s Elios 3 drone into its inspection processes. Using the device’s advanced LiDAR technology, they have created detailed 3D maps of their underground and hard-to-reach water infrastructure, making inspections more efficient, accurate, and safe.

Key Benefits in a Nutshell

Introduction

Lausanne, a city in Switzerland known for its innovation and research, is home to numerous tech startups and forward-thinking organizations. One such company, Flyability, developed the Elios 3 drone — a compact, indoor mapping solution designed for navigating complex environments. The city’s Water Department saw an opportunity to leverage this cutting-edge technology to enhance its inspection processes.

As part of a pilot program, the department tested the Elios 3 to see how it could help with the challenges of inspecting underground and confined water systems. The results were impressive, leading to a full-scale adoption of the technology for ongoing maintenance and monitoring tasks.

Customer Needs

The Water Department of Lausanne is responsible for managing the entire water cycle, including sewage, purification, and storage. Their responsibilities involve regular inspections of various water-related structures, such as wastewater vaults, water tanks, storm spillways, and more. These inspections often require entering hazardous environments, which poses significant risks to inspectors.

Some of the key challenges include:

• Entering confined spaces with potential gas hazards and biohazards.
• Inspecting high areas using scaffolding, which increases the risk of falls.
• Tracking defects over time to ensure proper maintenance and prevent failures.

Traditional methods of inspection are not only time-consuming but also pose serious safety concerns. The department was looking for a safer, faster, and more reliable way to perform these critical tasks.

Solution

To address these challenges, the Water Department turned to the Elios 3. This compact, durable drone uses LiDAR technology to generate high-resolution 3D maps of internal structures, enabling remote data collection without the need for human entry.

Here’s what the team aimed to achieve:

• Create detailed 3D models of internal spaces for maintenance planning and digital twin applications.
• Improve safety by eliminating the need for confined space entry and working at height.

Results

Over six months, the Water Department conducted multiple inspections using the Elios 3, achieving significant improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and safety. The drone proved to be a game-changer, especially in difficult-to-access areas like water tanks and storm spillways.

One notable example was a tank slab inspection that was completed in just half a day instead of five days. The reduction in time was largely due to the elimination of scaffolding setup and dismantling. Another successful mission involved a storm spillway inspection, where the Elios 3 collected data from above ground, avoiding the dangers of entering the structure directly.

According to Sébastien Ramelet, Project Manager Engineer/Water Protection Inspector for the city:

“The Elios 3’s 3D maps allow us to model any structure we need, whether it's a storm overflow or a drinking water reservoir. Then we can use these maps to conduct simulations, reconstruct a precise plan of the structure as it was built, and track the exact location of defects found in our inspection work.”

- Sébastien Ramelet, Project Manager Engineer/Water Protection Inspector for the City of Lausanne Water Department

Key Benefits

The Elios 3 delivered several tangible benefits to the Water Department, including:

• Indoor 3D Mapping – Accurate models for defect tracking and simulation.
• Improved Defect Monitoring – Precise geolocation allows for consistent follow-up and analysis over time.
• Enhanced Safety – Eliminated the need for risky physical inspections in confined spaces.
• Faster Inspections – Reduced time spent on setup and manual checks, increasing productivity.
• Easy to Use – Staff with no prior drone experience were able to operate the device within an hour.
• High-Quality Data – 4K video and LiDAR coverage ensured comprehensive and reliable data capture.

Conclusion

Following the successful trial, the Water Department of Lausanne has permanently adopted the Elios 3 for its inspection routines. The integration of this technology has not only improved operational efficiency but also enhanced the safety and accuracy of their maintenance efforts.

As the department continues to expand its use of the Elios 3, it will benefit from a growing library of 3D models that provide valuable insights into the condition and evolution of its infrastructure. This digital record will support long-term asset management, reduce future maintenance costs, and extend the lifespan of critical water systems.

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